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Re: Q: Cowen Uncapper Steam Source

Hi Kevin. We just made a closed recirculating system from a small water heater, pump and expansion tank that also doubles to warm our floor sump. There are numerous ways to do the same thing with a small crude boiler setup with some sort of heat source, I am pretty sure that Mann Lake or Dadant sells something like that as well. I havent gone that route because of fear it will get neglected and not get filled in a timely manner and also because I didn't want to work beside it. Cowen also sells a hot water source for over $1000 here: http://www.cowenmfg.com/pages.asp?pageid=105983
Hope your cutter serves you well. The C&B system was probably a really good buy. I bought a used one pretty cheap about 10 years ago and it's been a real good machine.

"People will generally accept facts as truth only if the facts agree with what they already believe."- Andy Rooney

Re: Q: Cowen Uncapper Steam Source

Perhaps a water heater with temps on the dial (do they exist?) or else just installing a temp gauge on the water line. I really wouldn't worry too much about that though, just see how it is heating the blades and how quickly the cappings are sliding off and keep bumping it up until you are satisfied. Be sure to use an expansion tank, it's the real key to making it recirculate properly.

"People will generally accept facts as truth only if the facts agree with what they already believe."- Andy Rooney

Re: Q: Cowen Uncapper Steam Source

We use anelectric small boiler purchased from Dadant about 20 years ago. It has done a great job making steam for the Cowan Silver Queen uncapped. It is made of a heavy Guage propane tank and pressure is limited by a ten pound cap that prevents over-pressure. We do have to add water every couple of hours but the power sight glass is easy to check the water level at a glance. If I had to do it again, the hotel water heater would do the job in a closed loop and avoid purchase of a dedicated boiler. You will enjoy the Silver Queen.

Re: Q: Cowen Uncapper Steam Source

I don't remember the cost of the electric blades, partner paid for them. Fairly easy swap out, and just mount the switch/thermostat box. No waiting for steam build up, or reheating after lunch, or the steamer running out of water. The elbows that push the blades away from the approaching frames are not as good as on the originals.
My exploding frames are the 40 year old ones with pity soft lugs, or the ones from suppliers that are a fraction too thick, or the ones with metal frame repair ends. We just cut them up into the capping spinner and make nice new ones.